Events mark 100th anniversary of Henderson County Courthouse

(MCT) -- Henderson County Judge Richard Sanders is inviting citizens to gather at the courthouse in Athens on Saturday to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the structure.

Opening ceremonies start at 10 a.m., with the Masons' re-enactment. Ceremonies shift to the west side at about 10:30 a.m. with a program featuring a choir, honor guard and proclamations.

"I think it's very important for it to be maintained as a working courthouse," Sanders said. "It's like any older building. It probably needs some things, but it's been kept up well over the years. It has a good, solid structure, and I can see it lasting, maybe, another hundred years."

Sanders said activities include a nod to earlier times. There'll be a soap-making demonstration and spinning-wheel demonstration. There will also be quilt displays, historical pictures of Henderson County and the Bacon Chevrolet Stage Coach.

"There'll also be a 42 tournament," Sanders said. "It's first-come, first-serve, just anyone who wants to participate."